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💎The Jewels 💎

Anastasia Contour Kit

Hello, Gorgeous!

I was slightly heartbroken when I wanted to swatch this palette at Sephora and a sales associate told me that I was too late, that they were gone forever. Perhaps she was misinformed (or maybe I misunderstood her) when she said that is was a limited edition item and that no more were available. I don’t know but I had no problem ordering it from the Anastasia Beverly Hills website (with free shipping, no less!). As you can see from the pic, there are 3 matte contour shades 2 matte highlight shades and 1shimmery highlight. I use all of them but the contour shade, Java, on the bottom left is my favorite. The shimmer shade, Sand, top right, is really nice too. Even though it is richly pigmented the sparkle is super fine, almost pearlescent. No big chunks of glitter, here. Its consistency is comparable to the Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer but without the yellow undertone. I love using this kit to beat my face; it is so good. I find myself using it even on [so-called] light make-up days.

Bite Beauty Luminous Créme Lipstick Duo in Musk and Lychee

…meanwhile back at Sephora… On that same shopping trip mentioned above, I stumble across this double-ended Bite sample size product. After a little swatchy-swatchy, I’m intrigued. I don’t own any shades quite like Musk but I’m not quite convinced. As my friend and I bounce around from Tarte to Kat Von D to Urban Decay (and all the while she’s encouraging me to go for it) I am falling in love! My lips feel like Kylie Jenner when I wear this lippie. ***don’t judge me, that girl has mad lip game***

Musk is a fab pinky-brown-mauve.

Lychee is a super neutral “your-lips-but-better” pink.

Not only are they free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates but they have wrinkle-fighting properties to prevent and reduce fine lines. And creamy? You bet your life, it’s creamy!

L’Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara

I am pretty hard to please when it comes to mascara. I need volume, lengthening, thickening, and a big ‘ole brush to deliver the formula. Miss Manga meets these requirements. I was skeptical, as I always am of trendy mascara, but I am feeling this one. The cone shaped wand works well for hitting those tiny inner lashes and I can build up the product with several coats before it gets too clumpy. The formula is on the dry side, my preference, so keep that in mind if like a wet mascara formula.

The Simpson’s Tapped Out

here’s part of my tiny little town, so far

I have never been much of a gamer, aside from Candy Crush, Sudoku, and the occasional game of Tetris, I just don’t play games. Enter the Simpson’s game. I don’t know what it is about this silly game but I am IN! The gist is you are rebuilding virtual Springfield after the town gets destroyed. You gradually accrue characters and build houses, roads, the Kwik-I-Mart, etc. The characters do different tasks to earn money towards new decorations buildings and to level up. I guess this game is similar to the Sims but I never played that so I wouldn’t know. It’s free to download and there is a big online community so you can find people to be neighbors with and there are even a few cheats and Easter eggs out there. For example, a onetime gift of a statue and 10 doughnuts is unlocked when you open Homer’s task list and quickly click on him 10 times. ***this totally works!***

Gran Gala

This Triple Orange Liqueur is similar to Grand Marnier but it is cheaper. I use mine to make sangria and cosmos but triple sec is extra handy you can use it to make margaritas and several other kinds of cocktails and martinis. A person with a more sophisticated palette than I have might say that Grand Marnier is sweeter, and thus Gran Gala more bitter (I’m sorry but I refuse to say “bitterer”). However, I wouldn’t drink any kind of triple sec straight and you can’t tell when it is mixed in a cocktail, so… big deal! Since I only use a splash of Grand Gala per drink this bottle will last a long time but I will definitely repurchase when the time comes.

Torrid Gold Chain Necklace

I always seem to miss out on redeeming my Torrid Haute Cash and my coupons expire (if you’re a Torrid shopper, you know what I’m talking about) but I happened to be at the mall during redemption time in July. I picked up a few things, among which was this piece of jewelry. It was meant to be! I have wanted a chunky gold chain necklace for what feels like a long time and now I have one 😄🏬😍 I like to pair it with a messy bun or a high pony and a vibrant lip color like hot pink or radiant orchid. Too cool for school!

Speaking of school, my next favorite of July has been:

Watching BTS videos on Youtube

Be it school supply hauls, organization tips, or locker décor DIYs, I have been all about some back to school vlogs and blogs. Okay, I know I’m in college, not grade school, I don’t have a locker, and I never even used them when I was actually in high school but I can’t get enough! Even when I was out of school I loved this time of year. To me, school supplies are some of the most delightful and simple pleasures in life and I am not ashamed to indulge myself.

***hit the like button or let me know if you’d like me to post about how I get organized for college***

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

After waiting on my local library’s hold list for about 2 months my turn to borrow the ebook version finally came. Ann Brashares is best known for writing the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series but I didn’t know that until after I finished The Here and Now. Without giving too much away, I really enjoyed this book. It has everything, time travel, murder, star-crossed love. This book is probably intended for young adults but that just makes it an easy read. If I can be considered one, adults will enjoy this book as a well-developed and satisfying quickie.

🚫 The Junk 🚽

Kim Kardashian: Hollywood

As you know from reading about my new obsession with Tapped Out, I have branched out and tried a new game. I also tried this new app. And it sucks. I’ve heard how Kim K’s new game is raking in the big bucks and that is disappointing because of how lame this game actually is. Once you create an avatar you send your character around Hollywood and Beverly hills doing photoshoots and rubbing virtual elbows, the mission is to reach A-list status. The biggest problem with this game (despite the vapidity, which I could overlook, it is just a game) is that to play the game for any significant length of time requires spending actual dollars. I declare bologna! Real bills for virtual fame and celebrity? You’ve got to be joking. Not this B. But no shade, Kim. I heard you’re making beaucoup bucks on this app. You’re no dummy.

Herbal Essences Naked Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

Yes, I was suckered in by the promise of a cheap shampoo that is paraben-free and dye-free. I also feel like my hair isn’t shiny enough (this notion can surely be blamed on advertising and the media but it is present in my brain). I gave this system a couple of tried but I did not enjoy. Not only did I not see any change in shine but my hair felt damaged and dry after each use. So, thanks but no thanks, H.E. I’ll be switching back to…. ANY other ‘poo.

Not that you asked but…

Georgia weather is crazy. This afternoon, when the sirens went off and my phone chirped to alert me of a Tornado warning, I grabbed the only cat I could wrangle and, much to Sampson’s irritation, hid in the laundry room for 15 minutes.

My birthday is in less 4 weeks. I think I might want to have an adult slumber party, complete with cocktails, nail polish, face masks, and cupcakes. Several of my friends already have other plans which is a bummer but you only turn 26 once and time and tide wait for no man so why should I?

I have been chewing this gum since I started writing this post and it has long since lost its flavor. YUM!

I woke up early this morning (8am). I enjoy starting my day before noon but I can’t seem to live like that on the regular.

Thanks for reading!

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This is my very first ‘favorites’ post. Part of me thinks it is kind of narcissistic to assume that you give a flying turd what I liked most this month but I really enjoy this kind of post and since you decided to read this, maybe you do too.

While I was compiling this list I was thinking about the things I either discovered this month or the things that I have really been using or enjoying for the past four weeks. And what is the true test of how much you like a product? How about the desire to truck an item 2,000 miles across the country? With the exception of a few, these products made the journey with me, from Georgia to the California coast.

1. Out the Door Top Coat

Holy smokes, am I glad I bought this! After complaining on FB that I was in danger of ruining my freshly painted nails, several friends recommended that I try Seche Vite. Whilst in my local Sally’s Beauty Supply, a very helpful sales associate suggested that I try Seche’s competitor, which you see here. Granted, I have no experience with SV to compare but I love this topcoat! I still give my nails a solid 3 or 4 minutes to completely set after using this top coat. However, that’s just me being precious with my paint job; after using Out the Door they are dry (and shiny!) in one or two minutes, without any tackiness.

2. NYX Retractable, Waterproof Eye Liner in Lime Green

For a long time, I was eager to recreate this look from Pinterest:

All I was missing was a green eyeliner that would work on my lower waterline. I found a great product in NYX. What really rocks about this liner is how perfectly it sets. While writing this I have a swatch on my hand that will not budge not matter how much I rub it, however “waterproof” is a very generous way to describe it. Considering I paid less than $5 for this liner, I am really impressed with the quality and I find myself reaching for it often.

If you are interested, here is my attempt to recreate the Pinterest look (please ignore my Bushman eyebrows, I’m holding off on brow maintenance so I can create a fresh shape):

3. Denman Grooming Brush

This brush was, more or less, an impulse buy. I knew that I wanted a paddle brush and I always try to go for boars bristle to help distribute my hair’s natural oils but I had no idea how invaluable this brush would become to me. I use it every single day. It’s nice to have a brush that isn’t a round brush to smooth out my hair. The two types of bristles are great for smoothing out my hair and (once again) distributing natural oils. I don’t notice any fizziness generated by the brush *WIN* even after I use dry shampoo.

4. Olay Regenerating Serum

I have used this product every day since I purchased it. I think it has really made a difference in the appearance of my skin. After washing my face I use 3 or 4 pumps (which is probably too much, but I DON’T CARE!) to cover my face and neck. The purpose of a serum like this is to allow your skin to better absorb moisturizer. The serum molecules are smaller so your skin can drink them right up. Following winter, my poor face was so dehydrated and this product has made a huge difference in getting rehydrated. Plus, it’s never too soon to start preventing wrinkles.

5. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready

A few months back, I received a sample size of this lipstick, either in an Ipsy bag or Birch box, I don’t remember, and I have a major heart on for it. Normally I’m a lipstain/balmstain kind of gal but I have really been getting into normal tube lipsticks. This one is a great rosy shade. It isn’t in-your-face pigmented but it is not sheer either and it is oh-so-creamy. If this lipstick isn’t in my apron at work it is definitely in my purse because it is complimentary to most eye looks and it adds just the right amount of color if I’m having a lazy, minimal makeup kind of day

6. Orbit Tropical Remix Gum

A girl I work with introduced me to this gum and it is so flavorful and juicy! I can’t get enough, that’s why I buy it in three packs at Target.

7. Revlon Define False Lashes

Here we have another impulse purchase. I was drawn to the minimalist packaging when I spotted them in Rite Aid. Since I love lashes, it wasn’t hard to convince myself to adopt them and give them a loving home. Unlike other eyelash pets, these are not too furry, they just add a little drama. Okay enough with the animal analogy… but for serious, the band is really thin so it disappears into your lash line and I didn’t have to cut them down to fit my eyes–what more could I ask for?

8. Bath and Body Works candle in American Boardwalk scent

Great balls of fire, this candle is like a narcotic! It is soooooo good! If you were lucky enough to smell B&BW’s Pumpkin Pecan Waffle last fall then you have an idea of how amazing this candle smells. Bath and body claims that the scent is salty sweet cream, caramel popcorn and taffy apples. I don’t know about all of that, but I do know that this scent is a delight! FYI, I checked the website and all they have left are the wallflowers….

Maybe this is an odd favorite to have but this website/app really came in handy when I was studying for finals at the beginning of the month. The gist is this: you enter in the number parameters, for example, 1 through 100, and then the program generates a true random number for you based on the parameters you set. How did this help me study? I would give each topic, subtopic, and term on my study guide a number and then I would use random.org to generate a number. Without looking at my notes, I would try to remember what I needed to know on that topic. This helped because, whenever I would simply go down my study guide in chronological order, it wasn’t as difficult to remember. Whereas reviewing randomly didn’t allow me to use context clues. Mostly I utilized this system to study for my American History final.

10. SoniasTravels Youtube Channel

I have been a subscriber to this Youtube channel for a few months and every Thursday I look forward to a new vid. Sonia has great information and tips for packing and traveling. Travel and ‘what’s in my suitcase’ videos are some of my favorite kinds and I just love Sonia’s personality! Her tips were especially useful to me since I only had like a day to pack before I left for Cali. You can find her videos here.

Not that you asked but…

I didn’t eat barbeque on Memorial Day but I did spend the day with my favorite veteran, my grandma, and I did get a little sunburnt on my back.

Yesterday, I met a homeless man named Larry. He gave me a CD.

Nothing feels as good as chucking the Nikes that gave me a big ‘ole blister on my heel straight into the garbage bin!

Below are a few makeup products that have served me well and I think were solid investments. They range in price and in brand but they all share one characteristic: they are worth it!

Let me clarify, these are not necessarily ‘holy grail’ items but ones that have continuously served their purpose.

Let’s start with one item that was something of a gamble for me…

You may recognize the Raise Some ‘Brows Defining Brow Pencil from my previous post, What’s In My Makeup Bag . This is the only product I have tried from Drew Barrymore’s Walmart make-up brand Flower and, even though I only paid $6 or $7 for this item, I was apprehensive about how it would perform. Big relief–I love this brow pencil! It is long-lasting and light brown is the perfect shade for me (although sometimes I pair it with a darker pencil to create a more bold look). I recently discovered that the bottom cap pops off to reveal a small sharpener. As if I needed another reason to love it!

This next item I also purchased at Walmart but I have seen it in drugstores, at Target, and on Amazon.com. I’m talking about Duo Eyelash Adhesive.

I don’t often wear fake eyelashes but once in a while you have to turn up the vamp *wink*. This glue makes applying false lashes easy easier. It retails for under $6 and you get 1/4 an ounce which will last for a really long time even if you wear lashes every day.

BTW: I like to dip my lashes into the glue once it is tacky instead of squeezing it directly onto the lash and waiting for it to aerate.

I wasn’t sure about this once since I already had the Naked 1 pallette from Urban Decay but I took a chance and, luckily, I love my Nude ‘Tude Palette from the Balm!

It contains 12 high quality neutral shades that can paired to create softer, more subtle day looks, sexy smoky eyes, and heavier evening-appropriate looks. I don’t know if you can tell from this picture just how pretty these colors are but they are wonderful. They feel creamy and they’re easy to blend. Lovely, just lovely.

*Whispers* I may even like it more than my Urban Decay Naked Pallette. Maybe…

It does come with a small dual-end brush. One end is an angled liner brush and the other can be used for applying and maybe to blend a little bit. The brush is not amazing and I almost never use it but at least it’s not a sponge applicator… *bright side!*

On the website, the Nude ‘Tude retails for $36. But your girl managed to score this during a 50% off flash sale, so I only paid $18 +shipping (and I want to say that was around 5 bucks). Also I have seen this very item discounted on Hautelook from time to time. (I have even heard of people finding it for $6–RUDE!)

There are two options for packaging. I opted for the pin-up girl background, like you see above, but there is another choice of packaging that has the same shadows but no girls.

Recently I found this fab little number:

The Lorac Platinum Status Eye Shadow Pallet was limited edition available only at Ulta and now they are sold out! I’m not surprised; Lorac is well-known for having beautiful products of the highest quality. This collection of 5 unnamed shadows are (from left to right) 1. a pearlescent bone 2. a shimmery soft pink 3. a pinky shimmery champagne 4. a rich purple plum and 5. a smoky black with silver glitter that appears almost blue.

I was shocked at the price tag, twelve measly dollars! My only tiny complaint is that none of these shades are matte.

There was another set of colors in a gold package that were also very pretty but I was so drawn to the champagne shade in the middle that I could not resist. I bought one for myself and one for my beautiful sister-in-law.

I do want to quickly mention this Ulta Professional eye primer.

I am scraping the bottom of this pot. I don’t think that this formulation is the best out there but it has served me well for a long time. Actually for so long that Ulta doesn’t even carry this packaging anymore which is really a bummer since I always prefer a pot to a tube (how else can you get every little bit out?). I don’t remember what I paid but it was definitely under $15….

It’s soft, fluffy–perfection–and this legendary blending brush is a dupe for the MAC 217 but whereas that one is $24, this one is only $12. Not to mention, Sigma coupon codes are easy to find online. I only wish that I had purchased this one sooner. Why did I wait so long?

Speaking of MAC, I really do love my 266 Angle Brush. I use this with gel liner, I will dampen the bristles to apply eyeshadow as eyeliner, or I will bust this baby out whenever I need to make a sharp, precise line (for example, when creating a cut crease eye look). At $20, I’m sure there are less expensive brushes out there but this little guy and I have been friends since I was in high school. What’s that Drake? Oh yeah,

#nonewfriends

This next item is so inexpensive and fabulous! For under $3 at Walgreens I picked up a beautiful berry colored lip product from Jordana’s Twist ad Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain line. Pictured below, Cranberry Crush has a glossy finish in a great autumn color.

If you’re thinking that this looks like a Revlon Balm Stain, that’s because it looks like a Revlon Balm Stain, BUT it is half the price. The staying power is not quite as good as the ones from Revlon but the trade off is that Jordana’s are creamier. I picked up another shade in red but this one–uh, it’s so good!

And for my final regret-free purchase, and the least expensive item on this list, we have the NYC Bronzer in Sunny. Some have called this $2.79 product a dupe for Benefit’s Hoola but I would not go that far.

Don’t get me wrong, I love this product. I use it more than Hoola and it is more travel friendly. The sponge that comes with it is a throw-away but I love the sheer, matte formula. I mostly use it for contouring but it is soft enough for use on the full face.

These are not every product that I would repurchase (neither you nor I have enough time to go through all that) but most of the items on this list are ones which I debated and mulled over purchasing before finally making the move and investing in them. If I had to do it again, I would rebuy all of these.

Tell me, if all of your make-up spontaneously burst into flames what would you buy first?